Idaho State University awards Non-Resident Tuition Waivers (NRTW) to students whose residency is outside the state of Idaho. These awards are primarily made on the basis of academic merit.

ISU participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), for undergraduate academic or applied technology students from the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming or Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Students in the non-traditional Pharmacy Program (and other over-subscribed programs) are not eligible for any non-resident tuition waivers.

Be aware that time accrued while participating in any of the NRTW programs or WUE WILL NOT count toward the length of time required to gain Idaho residency status.

For incoming domestic freshman & transfer undergraduate students, the application for admission to ISU is the application for NRTW and WUE consideration.

Completed application materials (Application for Admission, high school and/or all college transcripts, and ACT or SAT test scores) must be submitted by the scholarship deadline for priority consideration:

The scholarship deadline for Fall semester entry (Freshman and Transfer students) is February 15

and Spring semester (Freshman and Transfer) entry deadline is November 1.

Continuing undergraduate students who have not previously been awarded a NRTW may contact the Scholarship Office and request NRTW consideration.

Out of State Scholar Non-Resident Tuition Waivers

Out of State Scholar NRTWs are used to recruit top non-resident students to ISU.

The number of awards available is based on available annual funding. Out of State Scholar NRTWs are highly competitive; consequently, the average GPA awarded is typically a 3.5 or higher. ACT and SAT scores may also be considered. These awards waive the total amount of non-resident tuition.

Minimum Criteria for Awarding:

Must be full-time (at least 12 undergraduate credits each semester)

Must be a degree-seeking undergraduate student

Must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 to be reviewed/considered for an initial award

Awards are renewable for up to eight semesters based on meeting the minimum renewal criteria

Preference given to academically superior students in under-subscribed majors and those seeking their first bachelor's degree

Renewal Information for NRTW Recipients

Important renewal criteria to maintain an Out-of-State Scholar Non-Resident Tuition Waiver (NRTW) must be met. Please refer to your original acceptance form or contact the Scholarship Office.

NRTWs for International Students

The primary scholarship opportunity for incoming international students at ISU are non-resident tuition waivers (NRTWs).

A limited number of Non-Resident Tuition Waivers (NRTW) are awarded on a competitive basis and typically a GPA of 3.5 or greater is required for awarding. Students in the non-traditional Pharmacy Program (and other over-subscribed programs) are not eligible for any non-resident tuition waivers.

Time accrued while participating in any of the NRTW programs WILL NOT count toward the length of time required to gain Idaho residency status.

Competition for Non-resident Tuition Waivers at the undergraduate and graduate level is very strong and many more people apply than are awarded. You should be prepared to have sufficient funds to cover the approximate US $10,800 expense per semester should the University be unable to award one to you.

New and Transfer International Students

If you are an incoming international undergraduate student (new freshman or transfer), you will be considered for possible awarding of an NRTW. Priority is given to international students who have a completed application for admission, official TOEFL or IELTS score, and official transcript(s) submitted to the International Program Office (IPO) by May 1st (fall entry) or November 1st (spring entry). Your Application for Admission serves as your NRTW application. Please visit http://www.isu.edu/ipo/international-students/.

Continuing International Students

If you are a continuing undergraduate international student, have a 3.0 ISU cumulative GPA, have NOT received an NRTW in past semesters, and are in need of a NRTW, you may complete a Currently Attending ISU NRTW Application for NRTW consideration. Students in over-subscribed programs are not eligible for NRTW. Awards are competitive.

Renewal Information for International NRTW Recipients

Important renewal criteria to maintain an Out-of-State Scholar Non-Resident Tuition Waiver (NRTW) must be met. Please refer to your original acceptance form or contact the Scholarship Office.

Graduate Student Non-Resident tuition waivers (NRTWs)

Non-Resident Tuition Waivers for graduate students are awarded through the Graduate School at Idaho State University.

Graduate student NRTWs are non-renewable awards, so students must reapply each year.

You will need to complete the Graduate Non-Resident Tuition Waiver (NRTW) application form through the Graduate School as well as the Graduate Admissions Application.

The application deadlines for Graduate Non-Resident Tuition Waiver consideration are May 1 for fall entry and November 1 for spring entry.

Please note application deadlines for admittance to the Graduate School are different than the NRTW application deadlines and some graduate programs may have much earlier Application for Admission deadlines than the Graduate School (check with the department).

Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Waiver Program

The ISU Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Waiver Scholarship is awarded to non-resident, undergraduate students who are not majoring in "over-subscribed" programs (those with limited capacity).

Minimum requirements:

Must be a full-time student and have a minimum GPA of 2.5

Must be a child (biological, adopted or legal guardianship), stepchild, or grandchild of an ISU graduate (defined as a person having a degree or certificate from ISU).

Students who are currently already receiving a full 4-year Non-Resident Tuition Waiver at ISU are not eligible.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

What is WUE?

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program coordinated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education that allows students residing in participant states to attend programs at Idaho State University at a reduced cost.

Time accrued while participating in the WUE Program will not count towards the length of time required to gain Idaho Residency.

Who can participate?

Undergraduate academic or applied technology students from the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming or Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to participate in WUE.

Are all programs of study WUE-eligible?

All fields of study at Idaho State University are WUE eligible, however, some high demand or oversubscribed programs may limit the number of non-resident students who can be admitted to their programs. Preference is given to those seeking their first bachelor’s degree.

How do students apply for WUE?

WUE is treated like a type of scholarship at ISU. Incoming freshmen and transfer students must submit all admissions materials (admission application, application fee, ACT or SAT scores, and official high school or college transcripts) to the university in order to be considered. New Incoming Freshman/Transfer Deadline: Feb 15 (fall entry); Nov 1 (spring entry)

The Application for Admission serves as the WUE application.

For initial awarding, preference is given to students with at least a 3.00 GPA and 18 ACT composite (860 SAT Reading and Math equivalent) as well as to those who meet our scholarship application deadline. Students who do not meet this criteria will be considered on an individual basis.

As a WUE student, what are my tuition expenses at ISU?

WUE students pay 1.5 times the Idaho resident tuition instead of full non-resident tuition plus resident tuition, for a tremendous cost savings. Estimated savings per semester is over ~$5,500 (dependent upon tuition)/ per year ~$11,000.

How are students notified about WUE awards?

Students are notified of their WUE awards in writing by the ISU Scholarship Office. Students have until the date stated in their award letter and on their reply form to accept or decline the award.

Renewal Information for WUE

Important renewal criteria to maintain a Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) award must be met. Please refer to your original acceptance form or contact the Scholarship Office.